Six Small Choices that Transform Leadership

Successful leadership depends on what you don’t see – secret decisions that are spread out over time and go nearly unnoticed.

What you see, when you observe successful leaders in action, is the result of small, private, unremarkable choices.

Small decisions determine destiny.

A leader’s trajectory is unnoticed at first. But, the congealing of small, insignificant actions makes leadership. On their own, individual choices often feel insignificant. But, the piling up of insignificant decisions forms you.

Little things make us who we are.

Six small choices:

Stop using others as excuses. You are smaller than the people you hide behind.

Choose vulnerability over wall-building. Barriers keep you in, more than they keep others out. The more you hide the more you lose yourself.

Pick initiative over comfort. Don’t worry about a life of initiative. Just choose action today over action tomorrow.

Select service over ease. Serving others seldom fits neatly into schedules. Ease is the enemy of meaning.

Tip toward gratitude rather than greed. Small souls have small impact. Just keep saying thank you.

Transform complaining, frustration, dissatisfaction, and unhappiness into opportunities to make a difference.

Create small:

Big choices become small when you add the word, “today.” For example, Stop using others as excuses, today. Choose vulnerability over wall-building, today.

Accept dull:

Dull comes before dramatic. Boring choices, that no one sees, make leaders.

The path to remarkable begins unremarkably.

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” Arthur Ashe

Post navigation

22 thoughts on “Six Small Choices that Transform Leadership”

Spot on Pastor – Wisdom reminds me that the best decisions are made in advance, not in heat. When a problem arises, that is not the time for a solution, it is the time for action. Decisions in advance allow for action as needed – typically with greater results and less stress. Thank you Mr Rockwell!

Thanks Servant. Love the idea of making decisions before things get hot. One pre-decision is how will I respond when I’m not sure of an answer…when I feel like I’m on the spot. I call these decisions, “back pocket decisions.” When we need them we can just pull them out of our back pocket.

Thanks Scott. The challenge is the NOT want answer is so much easier and often doesn’t require any real action. I find that teams may need to go through a “not want” conversation in order to get to the positive. Typically I say something like, “I hear what you don’t want. Let’s describe what you do want.”

Liked the list of choices while taking small decisions today that can change a gloomy situation into the remarkable one.

Seeing things with a different outlook and taking the required clarity for any uncertainty/ confusion, making fresh efforts to take people along & trying new initiatives and solution based approach will be my choices to meet challenges.of work life. Moreover, keeping a balanced mind and going with a reality approach will be the keys to future success.

Thanks Dr. Asher. The little phrase “Seeing things with a different outlook” is so powerful. If we don’t find a different outlook, we keep on doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

All great people are supported by a mountain of dull. Those who fail to recognize the necessary supporting dull are forever shallow and lack depth of character. A good movie to point out the effects of small choices and how small efforts can result in big results would be “The Shawshank Redemption” … sometime you have to go through a river of S**T to get to where you want.

Dear Dan,
A leader is know by his decisions. And it is true that effort is not noticed at the beginning, but when you achieve something, people start paying attention to what you say. In fact, your words become your identity. But to reach that level in not easy. The path is very challenging and like razor’s edge. Decision making is difficult process and that in odd situations. When everything is fine, people feel comfortable and may not take pain to take difficult decisions. When situations are not favorable, people tend to avoid taking decision, but leaders know the gravity of situation and make decision. They may suffer in short run but they enjoy success in long run. I also believe the Greek philosophies that say- taking short term pain can lead to long term pleasure and avoiding short term pain can lead to long term pain. And the choice make leaders. Those who make decision, become leaders.
Therefore, I believe small choices that leaders make is nothing but decision making in challenging circumstances and that is true leadership.

Case and point, to demonstrate your thought above, is your comment from the airport bar the other day, right? : ) Your entry brought us a little more of your personality – fun and easy-going. It’s little clues like this that make a person easier to approach . . . which is exactly what will help to make a leader a successful leader. !

Dear Dan,
Powerful message said in a few words. How important it is for leaders to practice each of these traits to the tee. It is not surprising to see that many promising talent fall by the way side. The reason could be these hidden small things and the inability to introspect and seek advice. These people are overwhelming in their new status and are oblivious to the truth.

(Show up) every day ready…that is mentally prepared, physically capable, spiritually sensitive, & socially at peace. Think about your day & plan for it the night before, stay in shape, pray for guidance, & refuse to be a part of social drama. (not necessarily in that order)

Dan, This is awesome in its simplicity. I learned most of this while serving in the US Army over 20 years ago. This article reminded me of the most salient points that were stressed to us as leaders. Thanks!